The National tribune., 1887-02-03
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
AT FAIR OAKS.
Justice 70 the "Forlorn Hope" That Rnshed Into
the Jaws Of Death.

INV oANN VI ht"ths
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The account
Of the battle Of Fair Oaks given by Gen. Fran
els A. Walker although very vivid aud pa
triotic, is not ms ] happen 10 know, al
together correct Please do not under
stand me TO impute any intentional wrong
done by the article referred 10, ms DO nor
think Tor one moment that there was INTENDED
any slight upon the regiments which took part
Al that terrific conflict. But the truth OF his
tory should be maintained, which, IN TINS IN
stance has for some reason, either been
OVERLOOKED OR FORGOTTEN,
in so far as some Of the regiments are con-
ccned, for they are not mentioned and cred
tied with the part they sustained IN that ever
memorable battle. quote from the article:
While tlle action was in fun progress IN front OF
Seven Pines. and before the rebels crossed the
Nine Mile road. Couch had been OIslcred by hcycs
o. proceed TO Fair Oaks to meet tle intended move
ment of The enemy against our right
SO far all is correct; but to quote again:
There was Abercrombie with Cochran's 6jth y.
" Millur's SD Pa. and Bradys battery, and
hithcr Couch led RicSer's ca n. y. and ID. A.
Russell's sth Mass.
There lac stops without any further citations,
and like OthclIo ITO this extent has be Of
Tended %: for he does not say one word OF the
forlorn hope sent at just that particular time
obliqucly 10 the front and right OF Fair Oaks
Station, and which stopped aud held for very
GNnhlAEAAhtt AllnN INT AunldAShA va AaN AAtAA
lines, which were
COMING LIKE AN AVALANCHE,
and flushed with the unexpected ito them sue
cess of their attack. This forlOrn hope, ms il
was acknowledged at the time to be- and SO
credited in the Rebellion Record, consisted Of
the 6lst Pa, the 23d Pa. and the 62d N. u;
these three. no morc--the 6lst on the right the
23d in the center, and the cd \. Y. on the left.
The 6lst regiment ran almost into the rebel
lines before observing them, the undorbrush
and overhauging bOughs were so dcnse; and the
place was a norass by reason of the heavy rains.
The right of the 6lst Pa, which was moving
at double quick by the right flank, at this
time filed right for about three or four cOmpa-
mics, forming an l. or right angle, and COM
mcuced firing before the order TO halt was
given. The 23d was by Col NELL removed as
the historian of that regiment says, for the
reason that the position was unteuable.' Aud
he was very right. The Ga n. y. was also re-
moved of 10 the left and rear, where 1t was
possible. i presume. for IL TO be more elective,
as the odds against us were augmenting every
moment
But the 61st Pa was left alone, FOR there was
not anyone left Of field or staff officers TO order
q retreat. and If there had been. friend and foe
were so mixed mp in the tangled wood, suil0-
eating powder smoke and
HORRIBLE ROAR OF BATTLE
that the order could not have been communi-
Gated OF heard. The Colonel, Oliver il.
Rippey-than whom no drawer man ever lived
WAS killed, almost at the first fire. The
Lieutenant Colonel was wounded and made
prisoner as was also the Major. OF the line Off
GERS, almost everyone was either killed,
wounded or prisoner.
The 6lst Pa went into that battle with only
b74 men and officers Two Of the companies 90
and II from Philadelphia were not in, as they
were back toward e Chickahominy on picket
duty. ] had beer ordered by the Colonel
suppose the last order he ever gave--to go and
bring these two companies up, and was on the
way back with them when we saw members Of
the regiment wounded and going 70 the rear.
We all were forced back by the scattered and
badly dem0raized bodies of troops of nearly
all arms of the service. OF the number engaged
I'm the 6lst Pa. so were killed, l55 wounded
90 missing-nearly 80 per cent, aid all in less
than one hours time. You may now see where
the deserving failed 10 get the recognition
THEY so BRAyELY WON.
If this Gen. Walker is the same person who
was on COUGHS staff he will remember using
my horse f0I two or three days after the battle
as all his own had / believe. been killed or
given 10 Others lie knows better. think, of
the regiments engaged. but must have forgotten,
as it was a long time ago.
sincerely trust you win give this brief arti-
Gle place in THE NATIONAL tribune for the
sake of the brave men who rushed into the
breach ut Fair Oaks, for they well deserve a
place with the other brave men who fought and
fell IN that maelstrOm of destruction and death.
w. gibson MILLER. Adjutant, Glst Pa in
1862 Allegheny City, Pa.